THE PRESIDENT: I'm honored to welcome the Super Bowl
Champ Patriots to the Rose Garden. I want to thank their
owner, Bob Kraft, for his leadership. And, of course, I want
to thank their coach. Coach Bill has brought a lot of
organization and clarity of purpose to this organization. I can
remember when they were down on you a little
bit -- I know how you
feel. (Laughter.)

As a matter of fact, the Patriots learned an interesting
lesson. I remember watching all the experts talk about the
Super Bowl -- no one thought they'd
win. They learned what I learned, that in politics and
sports, the experts are often wrong.

I was really impressed by the character of this
team. Most of all, I obviously watched the game, I was
amazed at the play and how they won. For a guy growing up in
Texas, that snow game looked pretty rough. (Laughter.) But I
know all the Patriot fans were thrilled with that game and the Super
Bowl. I know you've got some great fans here.

Obviously, members of the Congress are great
friends. It's good to see Senator Kennedy and Senator
Jeffords, who are here. I don't know if any members of the
Congress are here, as well. But I want to thank you both for
coming.

I was impressed by a lot, but let me tell you what impressed me
most was when the team took the field prior to the Super
Bowl. It wasn't one of these things where the spotlight was
on any individual, everybody went out at the same time. I
thought that was a pretty good signal to America that teamwork is
important; that the individual matters to the team, but the team is
bigger than the individual.

That's one of the things I try to explain to people in Washington,
that we're here to serve something greater than ourself. And
I appreciated so very much that signal to the country.

I remember watching the early Patriots there in Houston, when they
came down to AFL. And I remember Gino
Cappelletti. And Gino Cappelletti said this about this
team. I think you probably remember Gino Cappelletti, don't
you, Senator Kennedy? You were around in those
days. (Laughter.) Barely, but around.

I think every guy that every played for the Patriots would be proud
of this bunch. They are not only a team with great heart and
toughness, they're also a good group of guys. They were
champs on the field and, more importantly, champs off the field, by
sending not only a clear message about the importance of teamwork, but
about the importance of serving something greater than yourself in
life, whether it be the Salvation Army in the Boston area, or
after-school programs so some child realizes somebody cares about them,
or how they conduct their own home life -- is
just as important to me, and America, for that matter, than winning on
the football field. So it's an honor to welcome true
football champs, but as well, really fine Americans, to the Rose
Garden. Congratulations. (Applause.)

MR. KRAFT: Thank you, President Bush, for inviting
us here today. We, as Patriots family, feel in a way, in a
very humble way, that we represent in a very small way what the
President's inspirational leadership over the last year has meant to
our country, because we're a team of underdogs, we're red, white and
blue, we put team first, but most of all, in the end, we were winners.

And we brought this country together in a way that I think the
President has brought the country through his leadership. So
we're happy our Super Bowl journey started with his dad tossing the
coin, and we're happy to complete it right here today and make him an
honorary captain. The coach and I want to present him with his own
shirt here. (Applause.)

COACH BELICHICK: I'll keep it real short. Mr.
President, the team would like to present you with an autographed ball
from the Super Bowl Championship New England Patriots.

THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate that. Thank you,
sir. That is short. (Laughter and
applause.) Congratulations. Congratulations to
you all. (Applause.)